It's a wake!

KBL. It is the acronym for the Marcos-founded political party and it stands for Kilusang Bagong Lipunan.

There is, however, another meaning for KBL in politics: Kasal, binyag, libing — three social functions politicians cannot ignore because their constituents expect their presence in these events.

In Startalk, we also have our own KBL stories that are always assigned to me (I think they just want me out of the studio).

I started covering weddings, baptismal parties and wakes and interments of showbiz people (or their kin) in 2001 when GMA 7 allowed the program to use the OB vans, which are very expensive and you can’t pull these out just like that (the news programs are always the priority for understandable reasons).

Startalk casting director and co-host of Tweetbitz Gorgy Rula often texts me this after my every funeral coverage: “Master na master mo na ang dead.”

Forgive us if we tend to make light of these stories because any funeral coverage can be grueling. After we pack up and leave the mortuary chapel or cemetery, we head home, shut off our phones to rest and we become dead to the world out of sheer exhaustion.

I cannot really say that I’ve mastered the art of covering wakes (it’s a delicate chore) because everything on TV is a learning process — and I have yet a lot to learn. However, I can already share with reporters of other programs (especially those in the news) how to cover wakes based on my experience. These are what I’ve gathered so far and you have to observe the following:

Be sensitive to the feelings of the bereaved. Always imagine yourself walking on eggshells. You have to bear in mind that you are dealing with people who have just lost a loved one. Add to that the fact that these are the same persons who have to accomplish a thousand and one chores (making funeral arrangements, securing death certificates, feeding those who give their last respects, etc).

Dying had become a complex exercise in this society — and it is expensive. What if those left behind do not have enough cash? So be prepared to interview people who cannot think straight. And these are also people who haven’t had sleep. The key here is to be very patient and to be able to phrase your questions with extreme care. If they snap at you (I already got that), you cannot fault them since they are grieving and you are intruding into their personal space.

Be resourceful. If the wake had been ongoing for three days, it’s a no-no to ask: What happened? If you are really clueless to the cause of death, piece the story with the help of other relatives who aren’t tired yet retelling what really happened. Simply have the pieces of information that you’ve gathered written down in the script and voiced over.

Ask for permission for every step you have to take during the coverage. You don’t just barge in at the wake because you are from television. Don’t forget that you are just an intruder. Always cooperate with the people in-charge of the wakes. If they lay down rules, follow them. Believe me, if they sense that you can be trusted, they will give their full cooperation. Always remember that respect begets respect.

Never sensationalize your story. If the bereaved asks you to withhold pieces of information that the family would want to keep for themselves, follow their wishes. In time they may want to talk and you’ll be on their list because you’ve been decent in your dealings with them.

Be fit. The wake for Marky Cielo was extremely difficult to cover because we had to drive all the way to the Mountain Province for that and the trip alone almost sapped us of our stamina. And it was bitterly cold since it was December.

For our last segment during our live coverage, the grandmother finally agreed to be interviewed. Our setup was actually in front of the house. But since the grandmother had difficulty walking we had to go up to where she was — to what was the equivalent of a third floor — and we only had a few seconds to rush upstairs and carry with us our equipment. I was still panting when I went on-cam, but we got there — climbing two to three steps at a time on a rocky outdoor staircase.

Be of help. Do they need to send for food and they don’t have a driver to assist them? Offer your service vehicle to do nearby errands. As much as possible, buy your own food for the crew so that you become one less mouth to feed. Just extend any assistance you can give. That will be much appreciated.

Do investigative work if you have to, but with extreme finesse. If the cause of death is wrapped in mystery, you go check with the police handling the case or even seek out the embalmer and mortician. But do that subtly. Make sure you don’t offend the feelings of the bereaved. If you stumble on an exposé, consult with the legal department of the network, but fight for the story if you are a hundred percent sure of your facts.

However, there are some stories that may be too hot to handle and may endanger your life (I once feared for my life during a previous funeral coverage, but mercifully my fears turned out to be baseless). Don’t risk your life and especially that of your crew members. Let the police take over in very risky situations.

No story is worth dying for.